Strasburg holds public hearing
On Aug. 15 a public hearing was held with Strasburg Village Council and the Franklin Township trustees to add territory to Strasburg-Franklin Joint Economic Development District. Campbell Oil Company of Massillon has purchased 3.86 acres at 4991 state Route 250 NW in Franklin Township.
JD Phillips, director of operations for Campbell Oil, said the store will be 45,000 square feet and offer full gas and diesel fuel service with a canopy. He said the BellStore side will have a convenience store with hot food. However, there will not be a car wash located at the site.
Phillips said they are pursuing a purchase of a parcel of land north on Ohio 21. If that materializes, plans are to build a stand-alone Subway store. Phillips said plans are to begin construction in 2024.
The estimated cost is $4 million, with 18 employees and a projected annual payroll of $550,000. During the regular meeting, council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance approving the fifth amendment of the JEDD and map by adding territory.
In other action council did the following:
—Approved a request from the school district to place banners on Wooster Avenue to honor student-athletes, band members, honor roll students and others.
—Discussed providing a Strasburg resource officer for the school. Details will be worked out between the two entities.
—Tabled a decision to place spruce trees and arborvitaes on Haswell Circle. Each property owner was contacted, and all would like trees planted/greenery at the site.
—Learned the village employees were asked by American Electric Power to remove all signs from its poles in the village. Mayor Steve Smith said there are various signs affixed to the poles, and it is illegal.
—Passed an ordinance enacting a new section of the village municipal regulations sidewalk program. Council set aside $20,000 for assistance to property owners to replace sidewalks through Dec. 31, 2023.
—Held the first reading of an ordinance requiring the Studio Apartments at 714 S. Wooster to install separate water and sewer service that may be required for each dwelling unit.
—Heard a complaint about out-of-town adults using the soccer field. Bruce Metzger, a resident, said it is a public park, but Strasburg students come first to use the field.
—Heard the sprinkling system at the football field is not working. It was determined the pump has burned up after it was hit by a vehicle.
—Heard 25 mph speed limit signs will be installed from Third Street to Ninth Street Southwest on Wooster Avenue.
Other information
The fire department responded to 19 calls from Aug. 1-14. Anyone may request a speaker from the fire department by calling the fire station at 330-878-7112.
Project Hope will place silhouettes on the green space on Aug. 30 and in the county to shed light on the issues of addiction and drug overdoses.
Council approved repairs to two baseball fields in the north end of the park at a cost of $24,924 by Lewis Landscaping and Nursery of Copley, Ohio.
Wi-Fi and cameras will soon be installed in Franklin Park and downtown. Railroad officials have given approval for crossing the tracks. Approval is being requested from AEP for pole access.
Council thanked the employees for all the work in preparing alleys and streets for paving.
Council agreed to meet with Mark Malcuit, contractor, in the fall about opening Seventh Street Northwest to Dale Avenue Northwest. A meeting with be held with the Pine Ridge board about the matter. Councilwoman Liz Dreher said the issue keeps coming up and needs to be resolved. Councilman Jeff Smith said the issue needs addressed and the street opened.
Fire Chief Steve Laskey spoke to the Widow’s Group and held an AED education at Strasburg St. John United Church of Christ.
Council will meet Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. The Sept. 5 and 19 meetings have been canceled.
